The Social Cancer, by José Rizal - Home
The Social Cancer, by José Rizal - Home
The Social Cancer, by José Rizal - Home
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CHAPTER LIX 267<br />
CHAPTER LIX<br />
Patriotism and Private Interests<br />
Secretly the telegraph transmitted the report to Manila, and thirty-six hours later the newspapers commented<br />
on it with great mystery and not a few dark hints--augmented, corrected, or mutilated <strong>by</strong> the censor. In the<br />
meantime, private reports, emanating from the convents, were the first to gain secret currency from mouth to<br />
mouth, to the great terror of those who heard them. <strong>The</strong> fact, distorted in a thousand ways, was believed with<br />
greater or less ease according to whether it was flattering or worked contrary to the passions and ways of<br />
thinking of each hearer.<br />
Without public tranquillity seeming disturbed, at least outwardly, yet the peace of mind of each home was<br />
whirled about like the water in a pond: while the surface appears smooth and clear, in the depths the silent<br />
fishes swarm, dive about, and chase one another. For one part of the population crosses, decorations, epaulets,<br />
offices, prestige, power, importance, dignities began to whirl about like butterflies in a golden atmosphere.<br />
For the other part a dark cloud arose on the horizon, projecting from its gray depths, like black silhouettes,<br />
bars, chains, and even the fateful gibbet. In the air there seemed to be heard investigations, condemnations,<br />
and the cries from the torture chamber; Marianas [145] and Bagumbayan presented themselves wrapped in a<br />
torn and bloody veil, fishers and fished confused. Fate pictured the event to the imaginations of the Manilans<br />
like certain Chinese fans--one side painted black, the other gilded with bright-colored birds and flowers.<br />
In the convents the greatest excitement prevailed. Carriages were harnessed, the Provincials exchanged visits<br />
and held secret conferences; they presented themselves in the palaces to offer their aid to the government in its<br />
perilous crisis. Again there was talk of comets and omens.<br />
"A Te Deum! A Te Deum!" cried a friar in one convent. "This time let no one be absent from the chorus! It's<br />
no small mercy from God to make it clear just now, especially in these hopeless times, how much we are<br />
worth!"<br />
"<strong>The</strong> little general Mal-Aguero [146] can gnaw his lips over this lesson," responded another.<br />
"What would have become of him if not for the religious corporations?"<br />
"And to celebrate the fiesta better, serve notice on the cook and the refectioner. Gaudeamus for three days!"<br />
"Amen!" "Viva Salvi!" "Amen!"<br />
In another convent they talked differently.<br />
"You see, now, that fellow is a pupil of the Jesuits. <strong>The</strong> filibusters come from the Ateneo."<br />
"And the anti-friars."<br />
"I told you so. <strong>The</strong> Jesuits are ruining the country, they're corrupting the youth, but they are tolerated because<br />
they trace a few scrawls on a piece of paper when there is an earthquake."<br />
"And God knows how they are made!"<br />
"Yes, but don't contradict them. When everything is shaking and moving about, who draws diagrams?<br />
Nothing, Padre Secchi--" [147]<br />
And they smiled with sovereign disdain.